Fast Change of State of Weed Seeds to Having Reduced Germination Viability Using Low Energy Unnatural Indigo Region and Medium Wavelength Infrared Pulse Illumination

Abstract

A change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability in under one minute by illuminating a seed with at least one of 2 J/cm 2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm 2 irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm 2 average irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of 3.75 microns was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A high speed, substantially non-invasive, low-irradiance method to induce a change of state of a seed(S) to having reduced germination viability in a time under one minute, said method comprising illuminating said seed to achieve a minimum of 2 J/cm 2  cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm 2  irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm 2  average irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 2 to 8 microns. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution includes substantially wavelengths ranging from 400 to 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light wavelength distribution is proportioned to be between 6 and 30 percent Indigo Region Illumination Distribution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light wavelength distribution comprises both said Indigo Region Illumination Distribution and said infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation originates at least in part from any of borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, aluminum oxide ceramic, and a powder coat (E+). 
     
     
         45 . A harvest (Q) having undergone an illumination-induced change of state to having reduced germination viability in a time under one minute, comprising at least one seed(S), after said seed has been subjected to illumination to achieve a minimum of 2 J/cm 2  cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm 2  irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm 2  average irradiance, of a light wavelength distribution comprising at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID) and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR)) radiation.